Graham: US-Ukraine Mineral Agreement is Key “Because Trump Will Defend the Deal”

US Senator Lindsey Graham stated at the Munich Security Conference, “Strategic Investment: The Future of US–Ukraine Security Cooperation” on February 14 that the war against Ukraine could end when Ukraine and the United States finalize a resource extraction agreement.

Graham, a vocal supporter of Ukraine, introduced The Stand With Ukraine Act  in September 2024, which remains stalled in Congress as of February 2025.

At the Munich Security Conference, he suggested that securing a Mineral Agreement would be a decisive factor in ending the war.

Speaking in the presence of Zelenskyy, he said, “Let’s do the minerals agreement so we’ll have our American business interests. (…) If we sign this minerals agreement, Putin is screwed. Because Trump will defend the deal.”

Additionally, he called for extensive military aid to Ukraine, including F-16 fighter jets, anti-tank missiles, and heavy weaponry, adding, “You give them ATACMS, you give them tanks, because they will fight. Remind me not to invade Ukraine, okay? It just doesn’t work out well.”

US President Donald Trump has proposed an agreement under which Ukraine would supply the US with rare earth minerals, crucial for electronics production, in exchange for continued American support.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed openness to US investment and discussed the matter with Trump in September 2024. The initiative is also part of Ukraine’s Victory Plan.

Zelenskyy has clarified that Ukraine is not offering unrestricted access to its mineral resources but is seeking a mutually beneficial partnership.

Earlier on February 12, the US presented Ukraine with a draft agreement on resource cooperation, with potential finalization at the Munich Security Conference.